World cruises are often viewed as the ultimate bucket-list voyage. They may not always sail a full loop around the globe, but these epic journeys stretch across multiple continents, visiting dozens of ports along the way. For many travellers, it’s the chance to experience a once-in-a-lifetime adventure without ever having to unpack more than once.
Of course, such luxury and convenience come with a significant price tag – and the cost can vary far more than you might expect. From affordable inside cabins to extravagant suites with butler service, there’s a huge difference in what you’ll pay, and it’s worth knowing exactly what’s included before you start planning.
How Much a World Cruise REALLY Costs
World cruises start from around $10,000 per person and can cost as much as $839,999 per person if you choose the best suite on the most luxurious cruise line. Expect to pay around $15,000 to $25,000 on a mainstream cruise line, and between $60,000 and $100,000 on a luxury cruise line, on average.
Factors Affecting the Price of a World Cruise
Every world cruise is different, so the price really depends on a lot of things. When asking how much a round-the-world cruise costs, you need to look at various factors:
1. Duration
World cruises are not a standard length, and unsurprisingly, a 6-month cruise around the world is going to cost more than a 4-month world cruise. That’s an extra 60 or so days of your room, food, entertainment and so on.
Typically, the shortest round-the-world itineraries are around 100 nights or so, and most world cruises are 4-month itineraries lasting around 130 nights. Six-month-long world cruises are a little rarer, although Oceania Cruises usually has a 180-night itinerary to enjoy.
There are some longer world cruises, such as Royal Caribbean’s incredible 274-night sailing, which set sail in 2023 – that’s nine months long.
Supposed to set sail in November 2023 was the first ever three-year-long world cruise. The new cruise line Life At Sea Cruises originally offered this itinerary on their ship MV Gemini, with a starting price of around $90,000 per person.
However, it was cancelled at the last minute when the cruise line couldn’t secure a replacement ship, after MV Gemini was deemed not to be seaworthy for the itinerary.
Many would say that if you spend more than a year on a ship, you’re pretty much living there. That is an option, too. Check out my guide to living on a cruise ship permanently to see how much that costs.
The Best Length for a World Cruise
If you have the time for a longer cruise, then go for it – it won’t just be filled with sea days, but you’ll instead see more ports. But of course, the cost will be higher, so budget is as much a concern as your time.
An alternative option is to look at segments – most cruise lines will break their itineraries up into segments, so you can book, say, a 30-night or 40-night sailing on the ship as part of the world cruise. These are good compromises if you don’t have the time or money for the full itinerary.
2. Cruise Line
As it is with any cruise, the choice of cruise line will impact how much your world cruise sets you back. Cruising on a mainstream cruise line like MSC or Princess Cruises is always going to be less expensive than choosing a luxury cruise operator like Seabourn or Silversea.
You need to consider what type of cruise you enjoy, though, and what you want from your ship. Luxury cruise lines may have less to do during the day, but they have a higher standard of service. The entertainment, the choice of restaurants and bars, and the facilities are even more important on a world cruise than a regular cruise because you’re on the ship for so long.
Don’t settle for a cruise line that doesn’t fit your vacation style, since you might end up not enjoying the experience. And a six-month cruise that you don’t enjoy is a long one.
2. Stateroom Type
Again, just like booking any cruise, the choice of stateroom will determine how much you have to pay. World cruises are always advertised with a “from” price for the most basic staterooms on the ship, usually inside cabins.
On a 7-night or 14-night cruise, an inside cabin is fine for most people. You can easily wander up to the deck to enjoy the view when you want to. But on a longer itinerary, having a window or a balcony may be a higher priority for you.
Here’s the room I stayed in when I joined the world cruise on Borealis. Paying several thousand pounds more for a window is a lot, but many would say it’s worth it.
And then, of course, there’s the even better option of a suite if you have the funds available. The suite perks may be even more valuable over a longer itinerary.
As a guide, here’s a look at one of the cheapest, one of the longest and one of the most expensive world cruises, with a guide to the different prices depending on stateroom choice:
Princess Cruise Line’s 114 Night 2026 World Cruise Prices
| Stateroom | Prices From (pp) |
| Interior | $15,466 |
| Oceanview | $16,096 |
| Balcony | $23,101 |
| Mini-Suite | $33,176 |
| Suite | $54,117 |
Royal Caribbean’s 274-night Ultimate World Cruise
| Stateroom | Prices From (pp) |
|---|---|
| Interior | $59,999 |
| Ocean View | $64,499 |
| Balcony | $82,949 |
| Junior Suite | $117,599 |
Regent Seven Seas’ Ultra-Luxury World Cruise 2027
| Suite | Prices From (pp) |
|---|---|
| Deluxe Veranda Suite | $91,499 |
| Regent Suite | $839,999 |
3. Inclusions
One of the biggest differences when you work out the total cost of your world cruise will depend on what’s included as standard with the upfront fare.
There are a lot of additional costs you might rack up during a long world cruise itinerary, including:
- WiFi internet access
- Drinks
- Tips
- Speciality dining
- Shore excursions
- Laundry
That last one is often overlooked because on a normal cruise you might never need the laundry service – but good luck packing 274 different outfits for your Royal Caribbean cruise!
Many cruise lines will include more of these as standard in their world cruise fares. What you’d normally pay for separately will be incorporated into the fare. For example, Royal Caribbean includes WiFi, drinks, tips and laundry in the Ultimate World Cruise fare, and normally you’d pay extra.
So bear that in mind when you compare world cruises – because you need to budget for the whole thing, including any extra you’ll have to spend while on the ship.
4. Travelling Solo
World cruise prices – and most cruises in general – will always be advertised with a price that is “per person, based on two sharing”.
So if you’re intending to cruise solo, bear in mind that your cruise will cost more – sometimes as much as taking a second person along anyway!
It varies, and with an itinerary as long as a world cruise, you will often find special solo rates. They won’t be quite as cheap as the regular per-person rate, but they should be better than paying the full price for two passengers.
The Best World Cruise Depends on You
Royal Caribbean’s Ultimate World Cruise, if they repeat it, is a good option for families with pre-school or homeschooled kids and younger travellers.
A lot of people who go on world cruises tend to be in retirement age, though, so they may be looking for either something more luxurious – like a Regent Seven Seas or a Silversea cruise – as that special dream holiday they’ve worked for all their lives.
However, you might find it tricky to get a place on board one of Regent Seven Seas’ world cruises. Each year, they sell out before they even open for bookings! So the only way to get a place is to be a loyal past customer or join the waitlist and hope that someone cancels.
And for those who don’t have the budget for a luxury option, the ‘best’ world cruise might be the one that’s most affordable, and that’s the cruise offered by Ambassador Cruise Lines.
There isn’t just one type of cruise passenger, and so there isn’t one single type of world cruise that best fits everyone. “Best” is very subjective.
World Cruises: Cheapest to Most Expensive
Here’s a look at all the world cruises you can currently book, or that have been on sale in the last couple of years, ranked from cheapest to most expensive based on the per-night cost. Obviously, the different cruises range in length, so a per-night cost is the fairest way of ranking them.
The prices are for the cheapest available stateroom and will be higher if you want to upgrade.
| Cruise Line | Nights | Price | Per Night |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ambassador Cruise Line | 120 | £7,999 ($9,740) | £67 ($81) |
| P&O Cruises | 99 | £9,629 ($11,725) | £97 ($118) |
| Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines | 106 | £11,499 ($14,600) | £108 ($137) |
| Princess Cruises | 114 | £12,400 ($15,750) | £109 ($138) |
| Cunard | 111 | £14,700 ($18,700) | £132 $168 |
| MSC Cruises | 116 | £17,319 ($21,995) | £149 ($189) |
| Royal Caribbean | 274 | £47,200 ($59,999) | £171 ($218) |
| Oceania Cruises | 199 | £39,685 ($50,400) | £199 ($253) |
| Viking | 137 | £47,300 ($59,995) | £345 ($450) |
| Seabourn | 144 | £51,180 ($64,999) | £354 ($451) |
| Hurtigruten Expeditions (HX) | 93 | £33,208 ($42,174) | £357 ($453) |
| Crystal Cruises | 123 | £47,000 ($60,000) | £382 ($488) |
| Regent Seven Seas | 150 | £69,00 ($90,000) | £460 ($600) |
| Silversea | 136 | £78,000 $99,000 | £573 ($728) |
Ambassador Cruise Line
Unfortunately, Ambassador Cruise Line doesn’t currently offer a World Cruise; their last 120-night world cruise set sail in 2024 from London and started at £7,999 (~$9,740) per person, or just £67 (~$81) per person, per night. The itinerary included the Panama Canal, Australasia, Asia, southern Africa and South America.
P&O Cruises
P&O Cruises’ 99-night world cruise from Southampton departed in January 2025, with fares starting at around £9,629 (~$11,725) per person – working out at roughly £97 (~$118) per night. The itinerary took in the Caribbean, the West Coast of the US and Hawaii, Australasia, Asia, Africa and a couple of European ports before returning to the UK.
P&O will offer another world cruise in 2027, a 106-night voyage on Arcadia, calling at ports in Central America, the Pacific, Australia, Asia and Africa before heading back to Europe. With fares starting from just over £11,300 (~$14,350) per person, it’s one of the most affordable world cruises.
Fred. Olsen
Fred. Olsen’s latest world cruise was a 106-night sailing on Bolette in early 2025, with fares starting at around £11,499 (~$14,600) per person for an inside cabin – working out at roughly £108 (~$137) per person, per night. Unlike many world cruises, the itinerary skipped North America and the Mediterranean, instead tracing the southern coasts of South America and later Africa.
Fred. Olsen has another world cruise scheduled for 2027, a 98-night voyage on Borealis that will depart from Southampton and feature extended stays in Japan and Hawaii, with fares starting from around £15,879 per person.
Princess Cruises
Princess’s 2025 world cruise was a 114-night round-trip voyage aboard Crown Princess, with fares starting at about £12,400 (~$15,750) per person for an inside cabin – roughly £109 (~$138) per person, per night. The cruise visited six continents and dozens of ports across Australasia, Asia, North and South America, Europe and Africa.
Princess is currently offering a fantastic deal on its 114-night world cruise from Sydney in May 2026 aboard Crown Princess, with interior cabins priced from just £10,079 (~$12,800) per person. That’s outstanding value for such a long voyage – and definitely one to snap up quickly before the lowest fares sell out.
Cunard
Cunard’s last full world cruise was a 111-night itinerary that departed in January 2025. With fares starting at around £14,700 (~$18,700) per person – working out at roughly £132 ($168) per person, per night – the round-trip from Hamburg included ports in North and Central America, Australasia, Asia, Africa and Europe.
Cunard’s next world cruise, scheduled for 2027, is a 111-night cruise on Queen Victoria. Departing from Southampton and returning to Hamburg, it will call at ports in Central America, Australia, Europe, and Asia. The current fare starts at $13,499 (~$17,000) per person for the lowest cabin grade, which is roughly £122 a night. This is likely an early booking promotional fare, so if you’re interested, it’s worth acting quickly – prices may not stay this low for long.
MSC Cruises
MSC’s world cruise for 2025 was a 116-night voyage on MSC Magnifica, with fares starting at around £17,319 (~$21,995) per person – working out at roughly £149 (~$189) per person, per night. The itinerary spanned Europe, Africa, South America, Australasia and Asia.
MSC’s next world cruise, a 121-night sailing on MSC Magnifica departing in January 2027, has current early promotional fares starting from about £14,724 (~$18,699) per person, or £122 (~$155) per night. Again, this is likely an early booking promotional fare, so if you’re interested, it’s worth acting quickly – prices may not stay this low for long.
Royal Caribbean
Royal Caribbean’s Ultimate World Cruise departed in December 2023, lasting a whopping 274 nights aboard Serenade of the Seas. Fares originally started at around $59,999 (~£47,200) per person, which worked out at roughly $218 (~£171) per person, per night. The voyage was split into four segments, with the cheapest – the Ultimate Americas cruise – starting at about $13,399 (~£10,600).
Royal Caribbean’s website doesn’t currently list any voyages longer than 25 nights, and the line hasn’t announced any future world cruises.
Oceania Cruises
Oceania’s longest world cruise itinerary is a 199-night sailing on Vista, departing in December 2025 from Miami and returning in July 2026 to New York. Fares originally started at about £39,685 (~$50,400) per person, which worked out at roughly £199 (~$253) per person, per night. Guests could also choose a free drinks package, 72 free shore excursions or $7,200 to spend on board as part of their fare.
Oceania is offering a 2027 Around the World cruise with more ambitious itineraries, including a 180-day voyage across 100+ ports and 46 countries. The current “launch” fare for this journey starts at about £57,959 ($73,600) per person, with their “Exclusive Prestige Package” included.
Viking Ocean Cruises
Viking’s 137-night world cruise on Viking Sky set sail in 2025, with fares starting at around £47,300 per person ($59,995). That worked out at roughly £345 (~$438) per night. The one-way itinerary began in Fort Lauderdale and ended in London, visiting Hawaii, Australasia, Asia, Africa and Europe, with flights, WiFi and excursions included.
Looking ahead, Viking’s World Voyage IV departs in 2027 and lasts 153 days, covering 37 countries. Current fares start from about £61,790 (~$78,500) per person, with business-class flights, drinks, WiFi and guided tours bundled in – a true once-in-a-lifetime adventure.
Seabourn
Seabourn’s previous world cruise (Sojourn) departed in January 2024, with the itinerary running about 145 nights from Los Angeles to Athens via dozens of smaller ports in the South Pacific and Asia. Fares started at around $64,999 (£51,180) per person, which works out at roughly $451 (£354) per person, per night.
Seabourn’s next world cruise, “Australia & South Pacific Panorama” aboard Seabourn Quest, departs in January 2027 and has entry fares starting at approximately $79,999 (£63,000) per person.
Hurtigruten
Hurtigruten’s 93-night world cruise once offered fares of about £33,208 ($42,174) per person, sailing from the Arctic to the Antarctic via both coasts of North America and the west coast of South America – a per-night cost of roughly £357 ($453) per person.
At present, Hurtigruten does not have a full world cruise on its official site; its itineraries are currently focused on coastal, expedition, and regional voyages.
Crystal Cruises
Crystal’s world cruise in 2025 was a 123-night sailing aboard Crystal Serenity, departing Fort Lauderdale on 7 January and ending in Barcelona on 30 May. The itinerary visited 62 ports in 31 countries, including a Panama Canal transit, South America’s Pacific coast, Scandinavia and the Mediterranean. Fares for this voyage started at around £47,000 per person ($60,000), which works out around £382 (~$488) per night.
Looking ahead, Crystal’s 2027 world cruise is a 139-night voyage on Crystal Serenity, departing 8 January and returning 27 May, with 82 destinations across 29 countries. Current fares on Crystal’s website start from about £55,000 (~$70,000) per person.
Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Regent Seven Seas’ 2025 “Away in Wonder” world cruise was a 150-night voyage aboard Seven Seas Mariner, departing on 7 January from Miami and ending in San Francisco. Fares started at around $86,999 per person (~£69,000) for a Deluxe Veranda Suite, including business-class flights, unlimited excursions, premium drinks and WiFi, this works out at around $600 (~£460).
Looking ahead, Regent’s 2027 “World of Splendor” world cruise is a 140-night sailing aboard Seven Seas Splendor, departing 11 January 2027 from Miami and concluding in New York on 1 June. Current fares start from £104,629 (~£132,900) per person for the 174-night extended option Regent has also released, making it one of the longest, most luxurious (and expensive) world cruises available to book today.
Silversea
Silversea’s 2025 world cruise aboard Silver Dawn departed Tokyo on 13 January and arrived in New York on 29 May, lasting 136 nights. Fares started at around £78,000 per person (~$99,000), which worked out at roughly £573 (~$728) per night. The itinerary spanned Asia, Africa, the Mediterranean and Northern Europe before crossing the Atlantic via Iceland and the Arctic.
Looking ahead, Silversea’s 2027 “Three Oceans” world cruise will sail from Los Angeles to Copenhagen between 8 January and 7 June 2027, lasting 149 days. Current fares start from £85,600 (~$108,700) per person.
To Conclude
World cruises don’t come cheap, but if you’ve got the budget, they’re an incredible way to tick off dozens of bucket-list destinations in one go – without the faff of packing, airports or endless transfers.
To get the best deal, book as early as possible. These sailings often go on sale up to three years ahead and the lowest fares go fast. Choose the cabin grade you’re comfortable with, watch your bar tab if drinks aren’t included, and take advantage of any freebies on offer.
Finally, pick an itinerary that excites you. World cruises vary a lot, so make sure the ports line up with your dream destinations – that way, every day feels worth it. Check out the top 10 ports in the world (according to the experts) if you need inspiration.
Want to learn more? Check out my top tips for planning a world cruise.
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Thank you for presenting cost information in a concise manner. I have traveled on two world cruises with Cunard. Being now addicted to the ship life, I would like to continue traveling via ship around the world. Your article was inciteful. informative,
and as stated at the start, concise.